US 8,893,977 B2 · Point of sale inductive systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.

Claims47

Dependent claims

A product identification device for use with an inductive reader comprising:

a point of sale storage device for a product;
a product identification circuit supported by the storage device and including a plurality of isolated resonant circuits electrically isolated from one another and each defining a resonant frequency, wherein each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits includes an inductive element and a shielding element to at least partially encompass the inductive element, and wherein the product identification circuit includes a reflected impedance based on the resonant frequency of each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits and based on the shielding element of each of the plurality of isolated resonant circuits, such that the product can be identified remotely at a point of sale based on the reflected impedance;
and
a secondary coil electrically coupled to an electrical load supported by the point of sale storage device, the secondary coil being configured to receive power from the inductive reader for transfer to the electrical load.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Point of sale inductive systems and methods

Life of this patent

Point of sale inductive systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims47